US nears metal tariffs deal with Canada, Mexico: official

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday that Washington is close to resolving its differences with Mexico and Canada over steel and aluminum tariffs that have created friction among the trading partners. The steep US tariffs imposed last year on national security grounds have become a major stumbling block to ratifying a new North American trade pact negotiated last year by the three countries. The comments came as Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland was in Washington for meetings with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and congressional leaders.